The program that has drawn the most attention following Snowden's leaks, the large-scale collection of American phone records, will be largely left alone, according to White House aides.

Instead of announcing new restrictions on the program, Obama is expected to defer to Congress on whether to restructure the regulation of the NSA's database of telephone records.

Obama previously appointed an independent panel to review U.S. surveillance practices and suggest improvements to the White House. The panel released a report in December that listed 46 recommendations, including changes to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and limits to surveillance of allies.